Issa Hayatou, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, has admitted that Nigeria will be missed at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The defending champions failed to qualify, after they were held to a 2-2 draw by South Africa at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.
Hayatou however insisted that the Super Eagles’ absence, will not take off the gloss from the tournament which will be hosted in Equatorial Guinea.
“The whole of Africa will miss Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea. But the absence will not in any way diminish your stature as a very big and influential nation in the African game, Hayatou said in a statement to the Nigeria Football Federation.
“It would have been good to have the defending champions in Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria brings so much value to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“However, we know that you will come back much stronger, as you did in winning the cup in South Africa last year after missing out on the 2012 championship.”
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